Gen. Ruben Dario Alzate was kidnapped by FARC, a Colombian guerilla group, after an unexplained, unarmed visit to a rural village. No one knows why he made the ill-informed decision, but the abduction may have ended efforts by FARC and the government to end their 50-year-old war.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. But now the Colombian government seems willing to try again. Officials are hopeful that negotiations could bring an end to the deadly attacks and brutal kidnappings that have long plagued their country.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. The two sides have been meeting in Cuba and may soon start formal peace negotiations. John Otis has the story.

Gustavo Petro was a Colombian guerrilla for years. He was arrested and sent to jail. But now, after he and his group laid down their arms and he joined the political process, he's ascended to the mayorship of Colombia's capital and largest city — often a stepping stone to the country's presidency.

Colombia intelligence agency, the DAS, has been caught eavesdropping on citizens known to be critics of Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe. That's feeding suspicion that the orders came from the top. John Otis reports from the capital Bogota.

John Otis reports from Colombia about President Alvaro Uribe's efforts to win support from other South American nations for putting some new US military bases in his country. But he's apparently finding it a hard sell.

John Otis reports from Colombia about President Alvaro Uribe's efforts to win support from other South American nations for putting some new US military bases in his country. But he's apparently finding it a hard sell.

Colombia intelligence agency, the DAS, has been caught eavesdropping on citizens known to be critics of Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe. That's feeding suspicion that the orders came from the top. John Otis reports from the capital Bogota.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. The two sides have been meeting in Cuba and may soon start formal peace negotiations. John Otis has the story.

Gustavo Petro was a Colombian guerrilla for years. He was arrested and sent to jail. But now, after he and his group laid down their arms and he joined the political process, he's ascended to the mayorship of Colombia's capital and largest city — often a stepping stone to the country's presidency.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. But now the Colombian government seems willing to try again. Officials are hopeful that negotiations could bring an end to the deadly attacks and brutal kidnappings that have long plagued their country.

Gen. Ruben Dario Alzate was kidnapped by FARC, a Colombian guerilla group, after an unexplained, unarmed visit to a rural village. No one knows why he made the ill-informed decision, but the abduction may have ended efforts by FARC and the government to end their 50-year-old war.

Gen. Ruben Dario Alzate was kidnapped by FARC, a Colombian guerilla group, after an unexplained, unarmed visit to a rural village. No one knows why he made the ill-informed decision, but the abduction may have ended efforts by FARC and the government to end their 50-year-old war.

John Otis reports from Colombia about President Alvaro Uribe's efforts to win support from other South American nations for putting some new US military bases in his country. But he's apparently finding it a hard sell.

Colombia intelligence agency, the DAS, has been caught eavesdropping on citizens known to be critics of Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe. That's feeding suspicion that the orders came from the top. John Otis reports from the capital Bogota.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. The two sides have been meeting in Cuba and may soon start formal peace negotiations. John Otis has the story.

Gustavo Petro was a Colombian guerrilla for years. He was arrested and sent to jail. But now, after he and his group laid down their arms and he joined the political process, he's ascended to the mayorship of Colombia's capital and largest city — often a stepping stone to the country's presidency.

Colombia's drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. But now the Colombian government seems willing to try again. Officials are hopeful that negotiations could bring an end to the deadly attacks and brutal kidnappings that have long plagued their country.